Histopathology Technician

About the role

The Histopathology Technician position is located within the Pathology and Laboratory service line at Harry S. Truman VA Medical Center. This occupation possess the knowledge and skills to process anatomical tissue and cytological cell samples obtained from the patients by a clinician.

The work performed by histopathology technicians is vital for pathologists to interpret laboratory results and provide diagnoses that allow clinicians to plan appropriate and life-saving treatments for patients.

What you will do

• Develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of routine and complex histopathological and cytopathological procedures, quality control and assurance procedures.
• Conducts operational and routine maintenance of instrumentation, troubleshooting, and principles of performance improvement Performs specialized techniques for handling cell blocks, frozen sections, bone marrows, autopsies, and fine-needle biopsies.
• Performs preparation of technically adequate slides for surgical, cytology, and autopsy specimens by processing, embedding tissue, cutting, staining (including immunohistochemistry), and coverslipping.
• Conducts oversight of all activities related to the frozen room and autopsy services, as well as oversight of the morgue for adherence to the facility and regulatory safety, quality control, and privacy regulations.
• Inspects internal autopsy permission forms for completeness and correctness.
• Prepares specimens for gross analysis to include measurements and separation, assists with dissection of tissue as necessary under the direction of the pathologist, utilizes sterile technique during the dissection and sampling of specimen for microbiological cultures; prepares tissues for cryosectioning by embedding in gel medium, mounting on the metal tissue disc, and loading the specimen appropriately into the cryostat; performs cryosectioning of specimens, operates the cryostat machine to slice tissue samples to sections (typically 5 to 10 micrometers in thickness) of sufficient suitability for fixing to slides and staining; fixes tissue cryosections to glass slides and stains using various histologic stains producing slides of sufficient color and quality for examination by pathologists to differentiate cells during microscopic examination.
• Recovers remaining tissue and preserves it with fixative as appropriate.
• Labels all specimens in accordance with established procedures.
• Operates the autoclave as necessary to sterilize tubes, vials, and other instrumentation.
• Assists new pathologists, pathology residents, and autopsy assistants in the safe techniques used to perform autopsies by carrying out highly specialized technical procedures to include, but not limited to, removal and dissection of organs, brain, and spinal cord in order to demonstrate the presence or absence of disease and/or atomic variation, collects special studies, and processes specimens for reference laboratory testing; bags and identifies all tissues from autopsies and places into storage; preparing and setting up for brain dissection and gross examination weekly as needed.
• Prepares bodies for viewing by family members and transports body to the chapel for viewing as necessary.
• Submits necessary information to the VA Program Support Assistant and/or Supervisor for UMC billing purposes and completes monthly VA reports for autopsy and frozen section as required.
• Assists with the preparation, collection, transportation, or ordering of reference laboratory specimens as needed.
• Assists with identifying unusual conditions and discrepancies that may cause erroneous results.
• Performance of work in the outpatient phlebotomy laboratory and inpatient phlebotomy draws as necessary, and whenever not performing morgue or frozen room duties.
• This consists of drawing blood from patients for requested laboratory tests, using special drawing techniques, assuring the proper tubes are used, ensuring the correct amount of blood is drawn.
• Special drawing procedures include, but are not limited to, glucose tolerance testing with glucose tolerance liquid, timed cortisol testing with cortisol injection, preparation of collection site and collection of blood cultures.
• Performs daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly maintenance of morgue, autopsy room, and frozen room as necessary to include, but not limited to, clean and disinfection of work areas as necessary, disposal of tissue as required by laboratory standards, set up or tear down of autopsy room for completion of autopsy when available and when absent, cleaning of the gross area, disinfection of the cryostats at minimum monthly, production and replacement of stains and preservatives as required by laboratory standards, assures all reagents are labeled in accordance to OSHA guidelines.
• Assists in providing education of Medical Laboratory Technician, Clinical Laboratory Science, and Phlebotomy students, as assigned by the supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned by Chief of Staff, Medical Director, or other designee.
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (***).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: ***

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: ***

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions.

Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.